A List of Famous Confucius Quotes

List Criteria: Vote up or down on your favorite quotes

A list of quotes from Confucius. Here are the best Confucius quotes on various subjects. The Confucius quotations list is sorted by popularity, so only the best proverbs are at the top of the list. Enjoy these sayings coined by Confucius. You may copy this list to build your own just like it, re-rank it to fit your views, then publish it to share with your Facebook friends, Twitter followers or with any other social networks you're on. Confucius was an amazing thinker and if you want to think like him, check out our inspirational honesty quotes, integrity quotes and sacrifice quotes.

Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall. Confucius

) open

2

+327

-32

Everything has beauty, but not everyone sees it. Confucius

) open

3

+293

-28

When anger rises, think of the consequences. Confucius

) open

4

+350

-38

Chose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life. Confucius

) open

5

+242

-21

A man who has committed a mistake and doesn't correct it is committing another mistake. Confucius

) open

6

+265

-27

Life is really simple, but men insist on making it complicated. Confucius

) open

7

+215

-19

It is better to light one small candle than to curse the darkness. Confucius

) open

8

+237

-31

To put the world in order, we must first put the nation in order; to put the nation in order, we must put the family in order; to put the family in order, we must cultivate our personal life; and to cultivate our personal life, we must first set our hearts right. Confucius

) open

9

+151

-16

Our greatest glory is not in never falling but in rising every time we fall. Confucius

) open

10

+150

-17

What you do not want others to do to you, do not do to others. Confucius

) open

11

+131

-15

He who conquers himself is the mightiest warrior. Confucius

) open

12

+148

-21

Do not be desirous of having things done quickly. Do not look at small advantages. Desire to have things done quickly prevents their being done thoroughly. Looking at small advantages prevents great affairs from being accomplished. Confucius

) open

13

+157

-24

To be wronged is nothing unless you continue to remember it. Confucius

) open

14

+108

-13

Sincerity and truth are the basis of every virtue. Confucius

) open

15

+128

-18

To see and listen to the wicked is already the beginning of wickedness. Confucius

) open

16

+118

-18

When you know a thing, to hold that you know it; and when you do not know a thing, to allow that you do not know it--this is knowledge. Confucius

) open

17

+123

-20

When you have faults, do not fear to abandon them. Confucius

) open

18

+136

-25

If you think in terms of a year, plant a seed; if in terms of ten years, plant trees; if in terms of 100 years, teach the people. Confucius

) open

19

+99

-14

To know what is right and not do it is the worst cowardice. Confucius

) open

20

+98

-14

When we see men of a contrary character, we should turn inwards and examine ourselves. Confucius

) open

21

+63

-6

Before you embark on a journey of revenge, dig two graves. Confucius

) open

22

+66

-7

Everything has its beauty, but not everyone sees it. Confucius

) open

23

+110

-20

Without feelings of respect, what is there to distinguish men from beasts? Confucius

) open

24

+124

-29

To be with God. Confucius

) open

25

+87

-16

In a country well governed poverty is something to be ashamed of. In a country badly governed wealth is something to be ashamed of. Confucius

) open

26

+56

-7

A man who does not think and plan long ahead will find trouble right at his door. Confucius

) open

27

+41

-4

Silence is the true friend that never betrays. Confucius

) open

28

+82

-18

Have no friends not equal to yourself. Confucius

) open

29

+66

-11

To love a thing means wanting it to live. Confucius

) open

30

+65

-11

I am not concerned that I am not known, I seek to be worthy to be known. Confucius

) open

31

+61

-10

By three methods we may learn wisdom: First, by reflection, which is noblest; Second, by imitation, which is easiest; and third by experience, which is the bitterest. Confucius

) open

32

+43

-5

Mankind differs from the animals only by a little and most people throw that away. Confucius

) open

33

+54

-8

It is not possible for one to teach others who cannot teach his own family. Confucius

) open

34

+75

-19

Man who stand on hill with mouth open will wait long time for roast duck to drop in. Confucius

) open

35

+61

-11

When things are investigated, then true knowledge is achieved; when true knowledge is achieved, then the will becomes sincere; when the will is sincere, then the heart is set right ; when the heart is set right, then the personal life is cultivated; when the personal life is cultivated, then the family life is regulated; when the family life is regulated, then the national life is orderly; and when the national life is orderly, then there is peace in this world. Confucius

) open

36

+48

-7

The essence of knowledge is, having it, to apply it; not having it, to confess your ignorance. Confucius

) open

37

+51

-8

When you see a worthy person, endeavor to emulate him. When you see an unworthy person, then examine your inner self. Confucius

) open

38

+44

-6

The strength of a nation derives from the integrity of the home. Confucius

) open

39

+43

-6

Faithfulness and sincerity are the highest things. Confucius

) open

40

+39

-5

A fool despises good counsel, but a wise man takes it to heart. Confucius

) open

41

+42

-6

The real fault is to have faults and not amend them. Confucius

) open

42

+33

-4

If you look into your own heart, you find nothing wrong there, what is there to fear? Confucius

) open

43

+36

-5

To go too far is as bad as to fall short. Confucius

) open

44

+34

-5

The expectations of life depend upon diligence; the mechanic that would perfect his work must first sharpen his tools. Confucius

) open

45

+40

-7

The wheel of fortune turns round incessantly, and who can say to himself, I shall today be uppermost. Confucius

) open

46

+46

-12

The superior man understands what is right; the inferior man understands what will sell. Confucius

) open

47

+35

-7

We should feel sorrow, but not sink under its oppression. Confucius

) open

48

+31

-5

Without knowing the force of words, it is impossible to know men. Confucius

) open

49

+33

-8

The father who does not teach his son his duties is equally guilty with the son who neglects them. Confucius

) open

50

+29

-5

The parents age must be remembered, both for joy and anxiety. Confucius

Information and media on this page and throughout Ranker is supplied by , , Calais, Wikipedia, Ranker users, and other sources. Freebase content is freely licensed under the CC-BY license and Wikipedia content is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation license.